Summary of the August 2 Meetings

In the Work Session

Sewer Base Rate
Over the last few months the Public Works Department has presented to Council several times regarding a recommended change to the sewer base rate. At the June 16 budget retreat, the Public Works Master Plan consultant presented on the concept of structuring base rates to cover operating expenses and the impact of per unit and per meter size billing philosophies. Options for a phased implementation of sewer base rates per unit for residential and per meter size for commercial customers were presented. Council gave input and a proposal will come to the August 16 Council meeting for formal consideration.

Wastewater
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality recently classified Utah Lake as an impaired waterway. With this designation the State has proposed implementing new standards on treatment plan discharges over the next four to nine years. This would require millions of dollars of improvements to Provo's wastewater infrastructure, impacting Provo City wastewater rates. Scientific studies have been conducted and there is concern that these improvements will have no real impact on the nutrient (phosphorous and nitrogen) levels of Utah Lake.

The Council also:

• Discussed requirements for giving public notice on land use items referred by the Planning Commission to the Municipal Council. This was referred to the Development Application Process Review Committee. This will be formally heard at the August 16 Council meeting.
• Discussed an ordinance amendment regarding yard definitions and required widths and setbacks for corner lots in the one-family residential zone. This will be formally heard at the August 16 Council meeting.
• Discussed proposed interlocal agreements to allow tax increment financing for the Duncan Aviation expansion project. These will be formally heard at the August 16 Council meeting.
• Discussed an impact fee funding agreement for City View Apartments. This will be formally heard at the August 16 Council meeting.
• Heard a presentation regarding Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) funding. Council asked administration to prepare a municipality opt-in agreement to be considered at the September 6 Council meeting.

In the Formal Meeting

National Night Out Against Crime:
Provo's Police Department hosts their annual Night Out Against Crime on the first Tuesday in August. Council's meeting prevented them from attending but the Council's Community Relations Coordinator was able to participate in the event and share information about the Neighborhood Program.

The Council also:

• Passed a joint resolution of the Mayor and City Council outlining their concern with the recent proposed standards from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality related to the impact of the wastewater effluent on the chemistry of Utah Lake.

This is a general summary of the Council's meetings. For a more detailed agenda and minutes, please visit our public documents site: http://publicdocuments.provo.org/sirepub/meet.aspx
Video recordings:  Work Meeting and Council Meeting

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